You are here

Niqab bans in Canada

After France passed legislation in 2004 banning hijabs or headscarves in schools and then in 2011 banning the burqua (a full body covering revealing only a woman's eyes) from being worn in any public space, discussion amongst activists has come to a boil about what is reasonable accommodation in Canada.

In Quebec, it is legally required that women must remove their niqab when dealing with the government, whether a woman is accessing services or working for them. The bill has garnered criticism among wearers of the niqab and feminists alike who say that banning the niqab takes away the agency and choice from the woman. The bill has been attributed with increasing intolerance in Quebec towards women who wear the niqab.

N.S and the niqab

Currently the Supreme Court is considering whether women should have to remove their niqabs to testify. N.S, a Muslim woman in her 30s, alleges that she was sexually abused as a child by her uncle and cousins. She refused to remove her niqab to testify, a choice that was upheld as her right under the Charter by the lower Ontario courts. However, lawyers argue that they cannot properly read a person without seeing their face thus obstructing justice. The Supreme Court decision could force women who wear the niqab to remove them while on the stand, adding more barriers to women of colour reporting domestic abuse, sexual violence and other crimes.

Consequences of bans

The biggest argument for banning facial veils is that they conceal identities and oppress women. Really, what these bans do is refuse reasonable accommodation to specific women based on their cultural and religious beliefs while stripping them of their fundamental ability to choose what they want to wear. Many women happily show their faces to any government officials who wish to verify their identity, but balk at the notion that the government can impose on women what articles of clothing are oppressive and make them illegal.

More people are reading rabble.ca than ever and unlike many news organizations, we have never put up a paywall – at rabble we’ve always believed in making our reporting and analysis free to all, while striving to make it sustainable as well. Media isn’t free to produce. rabble’s total budget is likely less than what big corporate media spend on photocopying (we kid you not!) and we do not have any major foundation, sponsor or angel investor. Our main supporters are people and organizations -- like you. This is why we need your help. You are what keep us sustainable.

rabble.ca has staked its existence on you. We live or die on community support -- your support! We get hundreds of thousands of visitors and we believe in them. We believe in you. We believe people will put in what they can for the greater good. We call that sustainable.

So what is the easy answer for us? Depend on a community of visitors who care passionately about media that amplifies the voices of people struggling for change and justice. It really is that simple. When the people who visit rabble care enough to contribute a bit then it works for everyone.

And so we’re asking you if you could make a donation, right now, to help us carry forward on our mission. Make a donation today.